Kitchen dilemma

[Meshy23]

Hi mumsnetters

I’m new on here but as a new mum who regularly follows this forum I know how helpful you are, so would appreciate your advice on our kitchen.

My husband and I live in a two bed Victorian terrace in SE London.we bought it a few years ago and fell in love with it because of its period charm and cottagey feel in a busy part of the city. We now have a DD(4 months) and intend to have more and whilst we still love this house we are saving to move in about 2 years to a slightly a bigger property nearer my parents.

In the meantime we want to improve resale value and also improve the look and functionality of our kitchen whilst we are at it - but without spending a huge amount of money (£5-10k If possible).

Our kitchen is really dated. It is small (3.3m x 2.3m) but an extension would be too expensive given we eventually want to move. But we need to update it anyway as there are gaps around the hob (69cm gap) and a rotting worktop. Also when we moved there was only a small fridge - we have included a bigger fridge freezer and want to install a dishwasher where the small fridge is (yes there was no dishwasher). But this means the large fridge blocks our doorway which looks silly. Photos are attached.

So given we need to redo our kitchen a little anyway any advice on this would be appreciated. The companies we have spoken to all say a kitchen sells a house but are they just trying to get business?

I think the options are as follows:

1. Update worktop to solid laminate, sink to Belfast sink, close up gap around hob, vinyl floor (I don’t like the orange tiles). This doesn’t increase space or functionality and fridge is still in awkward place.

1. As above but swap radiator and fridge - meaning fridge doesn’t block doorway but it would slightly block the door to the garden.

1. Total refit of kitchen (ie carcasses, doors to nicer colour, retiling, floors) and swap fridge and radiator around. Magic corners and shelving etc to improve storage.

1. Expand doorway by a metre or so. Replace standalone fridge with under counter fridge and freezer with longer worktop. Include magic corners etc to increase storage. This seems like a good option as it would give us over a metre of worktop space for appliances etc. But I’d be worried about the cost and hassle of opening up the wall.

Thanks so much.

Can anyone help with the above using their experience? How much work should we do to make the most of the kitchen before we make our next move in a few years time (we also don’t want to put off buyers with the state of the kitchen as it is). Thanks so much